Swiss Archdeaconry

Archdeaconry Activities in 2012 are:

17 March 2012	Choral Evensong in Berne
27-29 April 2012	Archdeaconry Choir Festival in Basle
11-13 May 2012	Archdeaconry Retreat in Charmey (FR)

Archdeaconry Events in 2011

April - Stewardship

On 16 April 2011, over 20 people from all over Switzerland came to St Ursula's, Berne, to hear Terry Parsons, formerly Stewardship Officer to the Episcopal Church of the United States. In a comprehensive programme, she gave us the benefit of her wisdom and experience on themes related to giving. She also addressed several issues raised by participants on the topics of pledging ("call it 'Financial Commitment'") and stewardship, ranging from the theology of stewardship to the practicalities.

She also brought with her several useful resources, including resources culled from her work for ECUSA - enter "Stewardship" into the search box on their website.

September - The KJV Bible - Opening a Closed Book for Today

A study day to mark the 400th anniversary of the publication of the King James Version of the Bible was held on 17th September 2011 at the Theologisches Seminar St. Chrischona. It explored parallel issues for the use of the Bible in contemporary mission and ministry in Europe.

The day was organised by:

the Anglican Church in Basel on behalf of the Swiss Archdeaconry of the Church of England Diocese in Europe (SACEP)
in partnership with

the Staatsunabhängige Theologische Hochschule, Basel (STH Basel)

the Theologisches Seminar St. Chrischona

There were three addresses:

Opening a closed book - the history of the King James version of the Bible: Rt. Rev. Dr. Geoffrey Rowell, Church of England Bishop in Europe and a Church historian.
Hearing the Bible today: understanding the Western European context: Prof. Dr. Grace Davie, Professor of Sociology at the University of Exeter (UK), who has researched and written extensively on the sociology of religion with a focus on trends in Europe.
Opening a closed book for the next generation: Prof. Dr. Thomas Schlag, Professor of Practical Theology, University of Zürich.

The lectures were followed by a round-table discussion with Rev. Dr. Robin Stockitt (Chaplain in Freiburg-im-Breisagu), Dr Stefan Schweyer (STH), Stefan Felber (TSC) and Bishop Geoffrey, focussing on

the place of the Bible in public discourse
transmission of the Word in a visual society
using the Bible with confidence in the life of the local church.

The speakers' background papers include:

Rt Revd Geoffrey Rowell:: The King James Bible - Context and History
Prof Grace Davie:: Is Europe an Exceptional Case?
Understanding the Religious Life of Modern Europe
Hearing the Bible Today (slides for her talk)
Prof Thomas Schlag:: Opening a closed book for the next generation

There are also some notes on other English Bible translations.